No Pastoral Recommendation! What do I do?

[Bette101]

I am a young Christian woman who has felt the call of God on her life since a very young age.

I don't know if you all believe in modern-day prophecies (I do), but I was prophesied to on several occasions in different places by different people (none of whom knew each other) that I was called to be a teacher in the Church (these prophecies only confirmed what was already in my heart). For years, I didn't think I needed formal training to enter the ministry, however, I am now beginning to think otherwise. Thus, I've recently been inquiring into online theological programs (attending on campus would be very difficult for me at this time).

However, I have run into a problem: Virtually ALL theological seminary programs/bible colleges require pastoral recommendations. Since adolescence, I have, in fact, attended and served in churches for several years: I have cleaned church bathrooms, helped with the children's and youth ministry, helped in the worship ministry, done choreography and skits, done administrative work--all for no pay. I didn't desire pay; I was more than happy to serve--even if just to scrub toilets.

Yet, I eventually left the last two churches I attended and served in because I saw things going on that I did not agree with: Gross favoritism by the pastors (particularly toward wealthy/influential church members), racism, fornication, gross unkindness, etc.; mean-spirited behavior very unChrist-like.

So, it might be...difficult to get a pastoral recommendation from either of the last two churches in which I served; I didn't leave in a nasty way, but I did voice my concerns to the pastors before I left.

Thus, for a few years, I was quite disillusioned with churches. I still believed in the Lord Jesus and studied the Bible on my own, but I basically took a church break (plus, I moved around a lot, so it would've been hard to plant church roots anywhere anyway).

Here's my question: Are there ANY regionally accredited (preferably) M.A. in Bible or Biblical Studies programs that either don't require pastoral recommendations or in which recommendations don't seem to carry too much weight?

I'm just really frustrated. I don't think it's fair that my desire to formally study the Bible so that I can eventually be equipped to help people be denied because I lack a pastoral recommendation.

Pastors for Hire on Craigslist only seem to be agreeable to doing Weddings and Funerals. I offered interactions with me via telephone, email, or in person; I would freely answer any and all questions about my life. The form wouldn't require that the recommender lie. It simply asks if he/she believes the applicant follows Biblical principles and would make a good student.

Many might say, why not just wait, invest time in a church, then ask for a recommendation from the pastor. The problem with that is, I'm 30. Most programs will take a few years, and I'd like to get started ASAP, so I can begin helping people in ministry ASAP.

Sorry for the long post. Thanks for any help/advice!

 

[emmzee]

I'm sure that many (most?) seminaries will be willing to accept another reference if you ask them. Ex, when I applied to seminary, they wanted three references: pastoral, workplace, and academic. The academic reference was a problem for me; I was never really friendly with any of my undergrad profs and had been out of school for a few years anyways. I asked the school and they told me to send in a second pastoral or workplace reference instead, and I was accepted.

So I'd say, call the school and talk with their enrollment people, I'm sure at least a few of them will be willing to make alternate arrangements. Make sure to explain your circumstances as you've explained in this thread.

 

[Marcus Constantine]

I'm sure that many (most?) seminaries will be willing to accept another reference if you ask them. Ex, when I applied to seminary, they wanted three references: pastoral, workplace, and academic. The academic reference was a problem for me; I was never really friendly with any of my undergrad profs and had been out of school for a few years anyways. I asked the school and they told me to send in a second pastoral or workplace reference instead, and I was accepted.

So I'd say, call the school and talk with their enrollment people, I'm sure at least a few of them will be willing to make alternate arrangements. Make sure to explain your circumstances as you've explained in this thread.

That seems to be the way many schools will do it. Not everyone's circumstances are the same and most schools understand this.

My only question is why would do you think that you are called to some type of role that would be edifying to Christians if you are not part of a congregation of Christians? The church are people, not a building, and it is through this organization of believers that God has chosen to work during this time. To not be a part of a Bible-believing congregation is to go against the very purpose of our existence. If there isn't one in your area, then I would suggest finding a man that has biblical training and help him start a congregation. We are to be making disciples, building each other up, and instructing each other in righteousness and Christian living. We were not meant to do all of that alone.

 

[heron]

Using a pastor for hire would work against you in this situation.

Look at the reasoning of what the schools are looking for in a pastoral recommendation. They want to know that you really want to be at a Christian college, and are not being sent there unwillingly by parents who think you need a religious fix.

They want to see if you have taken on leadership or service as a natural outgrowth of your faith -- not just to get into a good college.

They are hoping that people will not lie about attending church, as odd as that may seem. Someone on a sports scholarship or using convenient tuition rates might say whatever needs to be said to get in.

The other thing most of us don't think about -- there really are people in this world who will join something to lure converts away, get study visas so they can be in the country, or enter so they can speak boldly out against the premise of an organization, in retaliation for previous experiences.

Colleges want to make sure students are getting a good fit -- that people will be happy where they end up.

So with all that in mind, I would suggest that you either find a youth leader, friend of the family, Bible study mentor, or someone who watched you clean all those years. Attach an explanation of why you needed to use someone that was not an ordained minister. Make sure your explanation is not negative, but show that you were in transition at the time of the application.